Things to do at Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour is a waterfront area with separate attractions that you buy separately. SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and the Australian National Maritime Museum each have their own tickets and opening times. Tumbalong Park is a public green space for events, and the cruise wharves are a short walk away.
Cruises leave from King Street Wharf. The Sunset Dinner Cruise boards at King Street Wharf 1, and a few express sightseeing trips start at King Street Wharf 2. Our Sydney harbour cruises guide and the dinner cruise guide compare the options. Barangaroo is a ferry departure point too, for example for Cockatoo Island, but do not assume that every cruise wharf is called Barangaroo.
Darling Harbour attractions compared
Adult prices and hours in 2026.
| Attraction | Adult price | Usual hours | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium | From A$39 online (child 2 to 15: A$24) | Mon to Fri 10:00–17:00, Sat and Sun 09:30–17:00 | Last entry 16:00, under 2 free, prices rise at weekends and in holidays |
| WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo | From A$39 online | Daily 10:00–17:00 | Last entry 16:00, at 1–5 Wheat Road next to the aquarium |
| Australian National Maritime Museum | Galleries free, A$35 for See it all | Usually 10:00–16:00 | Last ship boarding 15:10, children over 90 cm on the ships |
For most visitors with one afternoon, the free galleries at the Maritime Museum are the cheapest start. Add the aquarium or the zoo if you want a paid indoor attraction. Prices change by date, so buy online and check the day's calendar.
Our pick: dinner from Darling Harbour
Our take: this cruise leaves from King Street Wharf with drinks included.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in Australian dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Darling Harbour tours and cruises
Sightseeing, dinner and whale cruises from the wharves, with live prices and availability.
SEA LIFE and WILD LIFE in detail
Hours and booking for the two paid attractions.
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
Online entry starts at A$39 for adults and A$24 for children aged 2 to 15. Children under 2 enter free. Prices are higher at weekends and in school holidays, so book ahead. The usual hours are Monday to Friday 10:00 to 17:00 and Saturday and Sunday 09:30 to 17:00. In NSW school holidays the aquarium opens at 09:00. The last entry is 16:00. Extended hours apply on selected days, so the daily calendar takes priority.
WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
The zoo is at 1–5 Wheat Road, next to the aquarium. Online tickets start at A$39 for adults. It is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, with the last entry at 16:00. Public holidays and events can change the hours. Check child and family prices on the booking page.
Maritime Museum and Tumbalong Park
Ships, galleries and open space.
At the Australian National Maritime Museum the permanent galleries and selected exhibitions are free. Pick up a free ticket at reception. The See it all ticket adds the ships and special exhibitions: adults A$35, concession A$30, children aged 4 to 15 A$25, children under 4 free, and a family ticket for 2 adults and 3 children A$89. Booking in advance earns a 10 percent discount on these prices.
The usual hours are 10:00 to 16:00, with the last ship boarding at 15:10. In school holidays the hours are 09:30 to 17:00, with the last boarding at 16:10. Children need to be over 90 cm to board the ships, and the ships close at 36 °C. Individual ships can close for maintenance, so check the museum's notice for ship access before you go.
Tumbalong Park is a public green space used for events. In January and February 2026 it hosted a new sound shell and a free live broadcast of the Australian Open. For the Vivid light festival, see our guide to Vivid Sydney.
Cruises, fireworks and the evening
Sunset boats and the Cockle Bay show.
The Sunset Dinner Cruise runs from Wednesday to Sunday. The King Street Wharf 1 departure boards at 16:45, leaves at 17:00 and returns at 18:45. Regular prices in 2026 are A$129, or A$139 for Sunset Premium, with a children's menu at A$49 for ages 4 to 15. Limited offers from A$109 appear on some pages. The trip is named Sunset, Winter Twilight or Summer Glow depending on the season, so the departure time does not always match the actual sunset.
Whale cruises also leave from King Street Wharf 6 and 7 between May and November. Our whale watching guide covers the season. On New Year's Eve, some cruises leave from King Street Wharf 1, as covered in our New Year's Eve guide.
The Darling Harbour fireworks are free and best seen around Cockle Bay. They are not held every Saturday. Shows run on selected evenings: 7 November and 5, 12 and 19 December at 21:00, and on New Year's Eve at 21:00 and midnight. Dates can change, and weather can cancel a show.
Staying near Darling Harbour
What the location offers.
Darling Harbour and Barangaroo are close to the aquarium, the museum and the King Street Wharf departures. Barangaroo is also a ferry departure point, for example to Cockatoo Island. Do not assume it is the same place as Circular Quay. See where to stay on the harbour for the other areas.
Darling Harbour: frequently asked questions
How much is the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium?
Online entry starts at A$39 for adults and A$24 for children aged 2 to 15. Children under 2 are free. Weekend and holiday prices are higher.
Is the Maritime Museum free?
The permanent galleries and selected exhibitions are free with a ticket from reception. The ships and special exhibitions need the See it all ticket, which costs A$35 for adults.
Are there fireworks every Saturday at Darling Harbour?
No. Shows run on selected dates only, and weather can cancel a show. They are free and best seen around Cockle Bay.
Where do the cruises leave from?
Many leave from King Street Wharf. The Sunset Dinner Cruise boards at King Street Wharf 1, and whale cruises use King Street Wharf 6 and 7. Your booking names the departure point.
Can children board the museum ships?
Children over 90 cm can board the ships. The ships close at 36 °C, and individual ships can close for maintenance.